Extreme cold: How freezing temperatures impact your home and car — and how to prevent costly repairs during Canada's polar vortex

Extreme cold warnings due to the polar vortex continue to impact Canadians this week. While January is known for bringing the worst of winter weather and taking a toll on mental health, it’s certainly outdone itself this year. Although many of us worry about the impact of extreme cold on our health, we can’t forget how it can affect our home and vehicle.

Keep reading to learn more about how cold weather can affect your home and vehicle.

How does extreme cold impact your home?

Frozen pipes

Pipes can freeze when the temperature outside dips below -6 degrees celsius for an extended period of time (more than four hours) . As temperatures drop, it can take less time for pipes to freeze, increasing your chances of not only a nuisance but a costly home repair.

How to tell if your pipes are frozen:

• Little to no water flow

• Foul odour in drains or faucets

• Banging, whistling or gurgling sounds from pipes

While not all pipes can or will freeze, older pipes and uninsulated pipes are at a greater risk of freezing and potentially bursting. Exterior pipes as well as those in unheated or poorly insulated spaces like garages, basements, attics can burst when water begins to freeze and expand, putting too much pressure on the pipe.

To help prevent pipes from freezing:

• Locate and turn off your exterior water supply in winter

• Turn on faucets in poorly insulated areas/areas with uninsulated pipes to let a few drops trickle and keep water moving

• Consider installing water pipe heat tape or pipe insulation in high-risk areas

Ice damming

Ice dams are formed when snow begins to melt and run down your roof, but refreezes. The frozen ice then creates a barrier (dam) that prevents water from draining off of your roof. Instead, water becomes trapped and can seep under shingles and into your home, damaging your walls, ceilings and potentially causing mold. Fluctuating temperatures are the greatest risk of ice dams, but it’s a winter home hazard that can do tremendous damage to your home.

Icicles and icicle placement can be an indicator of ice dams. If there’s icicles are large with a thick layer of ice on your roof’s overhang, it might be a sign of ice damming. If icicles or ice forms on your siding, it’s usually a sign of ice damming — and you should consider contacting an ice dam removal company and contact your insurance company.

How to prevent ice damming:

• Clean your gutters before winter

• Ensure your gutters are clear of icicles in the winter and after any storms to ensure proper water drainage

Foundation issues

Fluctuating temperatures are just as bad for your foundation as they are for your roof. The ground expands as it freezes, putting pressure on foundation walls. As the temperature changes and as ice and snow melt, cracks can form and over time can allow moisture to enter your home and compromise its structural integrity.

Aside from cracks, the changes in soil during the winter pushes upwards on your home's foundation, causing "frost heave." Similar to the impact of pressure against your home's foundation, the uneven upward movement can cause cracks in the foundation.

How to protect your home from foundation issues in the winter:

• Ensure your drainage system is moving water away from your home to prevent pooling or moisture entering any cracks

• Shovel or remove snow from the area surrounding your home to limit moisture and prevent cracks or mold growth

How does extreme cold impact your car?

Canadians are used to digging their cars out of the snow and defrosting their windshields, but extreme cold can take a toll on your car's performance.

Battery life

Cold temperatures impact your car's battery's performance by approximately 30-60 per cent. While your battery's power recharges while you drive, many people experience issues turning their vehicle on, since the cold slows down the necessary electrochemical reactions needed to power the battery. The electrolyte inside your battery can also freeze and damage the battery internally, making it impossible to hold a charge.

The extra strain of having the heating turned up can also put stress on your battery. Aside from ensuring your car is up to date on its maintenance (oil change, checking for corrosion), you can help preserve your car's battery life by:

• Parking your car in a garage at night

• Covering your vehicle at night to preserve heat

• Going for longer drives to ensure your battery has enough time to recharge

Extreme cold and oil

Winter temperatures cause the oil in your vehicle to thicken and impacting its ability to flow through your vehicle, putting more strain on your engine over time. While newer cars are typically designed to handle the cold, it's still a good idea to ensure that your vehicle is up to date on oil changes, since new oil has less contaminants and can flow freely.

Also, if you've recently moved to a new area with a significantly different climate, ensure that the fluids in your vehicle are designed to handle winter temperatures.

Tire pressure

You might notice that your low tire pressure warning light appears in the winter. That's because as the temperature drops, air becomes more dense and lowering your tire pressure by approximately .19 PSI per 1 degree Celsius.

Although the heat as you drive may cause the warning light to disappear, it's important to check your tire pressure in winter regularly in the winter. Not only does low tire pressure increase your risk of flat tires and blow outs, but it can negatively impact your vehicle's handling, specifically when it comes to braking and steering.

Let us know what you think by commenting below and tweeting @YahooStyleCA! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.